Alexander Pope wrote that "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing." I'd like to add that a little knowledge of the Bible can be a dangerous thing as well. Constantly, Christians claim understanding of the Bible simply because they own one and can read, which results in some making statements that are inflammatory and threatening.
Take for example Pastor Wiley Drake of the First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park, California. The "Rev." Drake has recently stated that he is praying for the death of President Barack Obama, invoking the authority of the "Imprecatory Prayers" of the Psalms. The Imprecatory Psalms are those writings of David that pray curses and destruction upon his enemies and are among the most problematic passages of Scripture for Christians to explain. In a nationwide interview with Alan Colmes of Fox News Radio on June 2nd, Drake said that he is claiming the authority of the Word of God by praying for the death of the President by using Imprecatory Prayers.
Drake called President Obama an "usurper" to the White House and stated that "Imprecatory prayer is agreeing with God, and if people don't like that, they need to talk to God." When asked twice as to whether he was "praying for the death of the President of the United States," Drake answered "yes." He also added that "if he [Obama] does not turn to God and does not turn his life around, I am asking God to enforce imprecatory prayers that are throughout the Scripture that would cause him death."
Wiley Drake is an excellent example of someone who does not know the difference between what Scripture says and what Scripture means. While it is true that in times of distress King David prayed for the destruction of his enemies and invoked the authority of Yahweh to make it happen, there is no evidence that God answered his prayers. Also, there is no place in Scripture that commands us to pray for the destruction of anyone, no matter how egregious their actions.
The Imprecatory Psalms record the honest, and sometimes uncomfortable, thoughts and feelings of one of God's most famous servants. We know that David was not perfect and while his words are inspired, they are not an instruction manual for seeking the demise of people we consider our enemies. If we are to implement Drake's hermeneutic in this case, then why stop there? Why not restore Levitical law and return to sacrifices and stoning? I have a feeling that Drake would gladly welcome the latter!
Wiley Drake stated he is assured that he will be going to heaven because he has "a personal relationship with Jesus." Well, it appears the Pastor Drake forgot the shocking language of our Lord who said, "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44)."
Pastor Wiley Drake may know Bible verses, but he does not know Jesus. If he did, he would be praying for the President of the United States, rather than praying for the death of a devoted husband and father of two. Wiley Drake may have received forgiveness for his sins, but I question his "personal relationship" with Jesus. It seems that Pastor Drake is more in love with the words of Scripture than the God behind it, and that my friends is idolatry, which was punishable by stoning in the Old Testament. It's a good thing Jesus said, "he who is without sin, cast the first stone (John 8:7)." I wonder if Pastor Drake knows that verse.
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